Rough Exit from Fraser River

There is a phenomenon that is created when wind driven waves run counter to tide and currents.  That got us this morning.  We left our home marina at 6 AM and started down river.  We were in no hurry and were enjoying a cup of coffee and the early morning sun.  As we approached Steveston, the wind piped up and we could see whitecaps out toward the Sandheads and whitecaps on the blue waters beyond.  Checking the wind direction and speed we were showing 20 knots from the northwest with gusts to 25.

The Sandheads is the end of the breakwater that protects the Fraser River channel.  This is also in the vicinity of the spot where the water goes from about 600 feet deep to about 50.

Sand heads Light - South Arm

Fraser River

Add to that the traffic!  In this case one lone sailboat outbound and three vessels in bound: a huge freighter, a pusher barge ferry whose deck was filled with trailer rigs, and a fishing boat - all jockeying for position in the channel.

Now for the piece de resistance:  steep breaking waves on our starboard quarter and an a very rough ride as the boat pitched and green water breaking over the bow.  

So now my wife is seasick and heaving and my son is doing the same below deck.  I am struggling to steer clear of all this traffic and not have the waves hit us broadside.  Oh, did I forget to mention the enormous red channel buoy on our PORT side?  Well yes, we find ourselves between the traffic and moving toward the damned buoy, so the give it full power on our auxiliary, come up behind the traffic and well ahead of the buoy.  Lots of rocking and rolling.  I get the sails up and size up the situation, close hauled to Porlier pass or broad reach to Active Pass.  Hell, broad reach it is.  The boat settles down nicely, making 8 knots in 22 knots of wind.  and we are on a perfect track to Active Pass.  Seasick wife is NOT amused.